Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Out & About: What do you do with a dead deer in your neighborhood?

White-tailed deer are dying in a 2015 outbreak of bluetongue in Eastern Washington, North Central Idaho and southeastern Oregon.  (Robin Loznak / AP)

OUTRESPOND — The drought-related outbreak of bluetongue that’s killing white-tailed deer in the region by the hundreds is adding urgency to the question:

“What do we do with the dead or dying critter in our neighborhood?”

Inland Northwest Wildlife Council members (487-8552) licensed for big-game recovery will respond in the Spokane region (except in Spokane Valley) to salvage meat for the needy from freshly road-killed animals. They are certified to euthanize dying game.

“Beyond that, it’s a case-by-case scenario for us,” said Wanda Clifford, council executive director.

“We can put an animal down if it’s suffering, but we’re not going to salvage one with spoiled meat or one that’s obviously sick. We don’t just collect roadkill. That’s the job of the road crews.”

Generally, no group or agency collects carcasses off private property, she said.

County Sheriff’s deputies may euthanize dying animals, but they don’t collect carcasses.

Department of Transportation crews (324-6000) pick up on state highway right of ways.

Spokane County road crews (477-3600) pick up along county roads.

City of Spokane (755-2489 or 625-6083) picks up along streets.

City of Spokane Valley (921-1000) responds to reports by phone or online, spokanevalley.org/cares.

State Fish and Wildlife officers respond to poaching-related cases (call 911 or county sheriff). Report sick or dead big game (892-1001), but staff doesn’t pick up carcasses.

Animals that die on private property generally are the responsibility of the property owner, although exceptions may be made for large animals such as moose.

“If it’s on private property in a rural area where natural scavengers like coyotes, ravens … will clean up the carcass, it can remain there,” said Madonna Luers, department spokeswoman. “If the carcass is too close to a residence, it can be moved to a more remote part of the property, but we advise using protective gear like gloves before handling.

“If the carcass is on private property in an urban area, it can be transported to a dump, or to other rural property where permission has been obtained to leave it.”

Before transporting an game animal, call the department regional office so enforcement officers can be notified to avoid any misunderstandings, she said.

It’s illegal for the public to collect dead wildlife along roads for personal use.

Dead domestic animals found in the county should be reported to SCRAPS, 477-2532.

Regarding carcasses attracting wolves:

Some readers have suggested the Washington Fish and Wildlife Department is saying one thing about leaving deer to scavengers in rural areas while telling other guidelines to ranchers about properly disposing of livestock carcasses to avoid attracting wolves near sheep and cattle.

Here’s a clarification from Luers:

“Wolves, coyotes, cougars, bears and many other wildlife species normally feed on deer, including carcasses they scavenge. As wildlife managers, we WANT them to feed on other wildlife, and NOT on domestic livestock. We DO discourage disposal of multiple deer carcasses near livestock herds or flocks. We work with producers to prevent wild carnivores from preying on their livestock in a number of ways, including secure confinement of sick animals and burying animal carcasses.”